In what some called the best Hoosier Star contest yet, 5 adults and 5 youths sang their hearts out on the LaPorte Civic Auditorium stage in the 12th annual event Sept. 9, 2017. In the end, judges and audience members chose Jarynn Sampson as youth Hoosier Star with Saige Brumbaugh named as runner up, and chose Julia Campoli as adult Hoosier Star with Evan Wooding named as runner up. Jaynn Sampson also won the first Joe Mellen Rising Star award.

The big crowd at the Civic gave standing ovations frequently throughout the evening as the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra accompanied the talented performers.

The crowd is wowed.

Evan Wooding

Hope Johansen

Last year’s adult winner James Neary drew an ovation after singing Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”